In November 2017, Denver voters overwhelmingly approved Measure 2E, which provides $69.3 million to renovate the Denver Central Library and 10 branch libraries as part of the Elevate Denver Bond program.
Track Denver GO Bond project updates throughout the city, including those impacting the Denver Public Library, using interactive dashboards and maps on the City's official GO Bond website.
In Progress
Ross-Phyllis Bigpond Branch Library
- Estimated Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $2.67M, Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund: $1.5M
Renovation Designer: studiotrope Design Collective
General Contractor: PCL Construction
Q2 2026 Update: The Ross-Phyllis Bigpond Branch Library (formerly known as Ross-Barnum) renovation is still in progress, as the library was able to obtain additional funding to increase the scope of the renovation project. - The Denver GO Bond Dashboard shows a completion date of Q1 2026, but doesn’t take into account this additional funding and updated timeline.
- As of now we are looking at a complete and reopening in Q2 2026.
View Updates
Branch Renaming Process
Schlessman Family Branch Library
Estimated Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $3.5071M, City & County of Denver Capital Improvement Fund: $961,
Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the
Denver Public Library Fund: TBD,
Renovation Designer: studiotrope Design Collective
General Contractor: Mark Young Construction
Q2 2026 Update – Phase 2:
The library has entered the second phase of its renovation. Upcoming work includes completing public and staff restrooms, along with planning for upgraded heating and cooling systems and repairs to the building.
More information
Ross-Broadway Branch Library
Estimated Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $2.39M
Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund: $2.35M
Renovation Designer: Anderson Hallas Architects
General Contractor: Interlock Construction Corp.
Q2 2026 Update: Construction is currently ongoing. Early work is complete, including demolition, safe removal of old materials, and brand-new sidewalks.
View the Renovation Fact Sheet
Eugene Field Branch Library
Estimated Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $2.15M
Renovation Designer: TBD
General Contractor: TBD
Q2 2026 Update: The design phase is currently complete. We are awaiting contract completion and working on finalizing the collection layout. Construction is currently slated to begin in October 2026.
Ross-University Hills Branch Library
Estimated Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $3.20M
Renovation Designer: TBD
General Contractor: TBD
Q2 2026 Update: We’ve finalized the design for this project. Thanks to additional support, the project will include upgraded heating and cooling systems, improved restrooms, and other needed building updates.
Completed
Athmar Park Branch Library
Athmar Park Branch Library reopened to the public on August 7, 2024.
Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $2.77M;
Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund: $745K, City & County of Denver Capital Improvement Fund: $962K, City & County of Denver Facilities Improvement Team: $1.3M
Renovation Designer: Anderson Hallas Architects
General Contractor: Interlock Construction Corp.
View the Renovation Fact Sheet
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library reopened to the public on August 7, 2024.
Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $3.71M
Renovation Designer: Handprint Architecture
General Contractor: Interlock Construction Corp.
View the Renovation Fact Sheet
Denver Central Library
Denver Central Library reopened to the public on November 3, 2024.
Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $43; Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund: $5.25, DPL Friends Foundation $5.7M, City & County of Denver Capital Improvement Fund: $10M
Renovation Designer: studiotrope Design Collective
General Contractor: GH Phipps
View the Renovation Fact Sheet
John “Thunderbird Man” Emhoolah Jr. Branch Library
John "Thunderbird Man" Emhoolah Jr. Branch Library reopened to the public on June 15, 2021
Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $1.38M
Renovation Designer: studiotrope Design Collective
General Contractor: Interlock Construction Corp.
Learn more about the process to name the John “Thunderbird Man” Emhoolah Jr. Branch Library here.
Pauline-Robinson Branch Library
Pauline-Robinson Library reopened to the public on February 24, 2025
Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $1.87M,
Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund, $1.83
Renovation Designer: Anderson Hallas Architects
General Contractor: Interlock Construction Corp.
Smiley Branch Library
Smiley Branch Library reopened to the public in April 2021
Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $1.4M
Renovation Designer: studiotrope Design Collective
General Contractors: Interlock Construction Corp.
Elevate Denver Bond Renovations
Athmar Park Branch Library
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library
Denver Central Library
Eugene Field Branch Library
John “Thunderbird Man” Emhoolah Jr. Branch Library
Pauline Robinson Branch Library
Ross-Broadway Branch Library
Ross-Phyllis Bigpond Branch Library
Ross-University Hills Branch Library
Schlessman Family Branch Library
Smiley Branch Library
Resources:
Activate! Denver Facilities Master Plan
Contracting Opportunities
Elevate Denver Bond website
Media Contact